Pin and socket terminus assemblies for terminating optical cables

ABSTRACT

An optical cable assembly includes an optical cable having an end. The optical cable includes a plastic optical fiber (POF) having a tip segment that includes a tip surface. The optical cable assembly also includes a socket terminus assembly that terminates the end of the optical cable and is configured to mate with a pin terminus assembly. The socket terminus assembly includes a terminus body having a cable passage. At least a portion of the end of the optical cable extends within the cable passage such that the tip surface of the tip segment of the POF is configured to engage a mating POF of the pin terminus assembly to optically couple the POF to the mating POF.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter herein relates generally to terminus assemblies thatterminate optical cables.

Connector systems are often used to optically couple two optical cablesto each other. Within such connector systems, the optical cables areterminated by complementary terminus assemblies that mate together toestablish an optical connection between the optical cables. At leastsome known terminus assemblies that terminate optical cables include aterminus body having a cable passage that receives an end of thecorresponding optical cable. The optical cable end is held within thecable passage such that a tip segment of a glass optical fiber of theoptical cable is exposed for mating with the complementary terminusassembly. More specifically, the tip segment of the glass optical fiberoptically couples to a tip segment of a glass optical fiber of the otheroptical cable, which is held by the complementary terminus assembly.

Known terminus assemblies that terminate optical cables are not withoutdisadvantages. For example, the tip segments of the glass optical fibersmust be sufficiently aligned to optically couple to each other.Accordingly, at least some known terminus assemblies include componentsthat facilitate aligning the tip segments when the terminus assembliesare mated together. For example, the tip segments of the glass opticalfibers may optically couple together within a mating receptacle of theconnector system. The mating receptacle may include an alignment sleevethat aligns the tip segments relative to each other as the complementaryterminus assemblies are mated together. Moreover, and for example, theterminus assemblies may include ferrules that extend around the tipsegments of the glass optical fibers to align the tip segments relativeto each other as the complementary terminus assemblies are matedtogether. But, such alignment components may increase a cost and/orcomplexity of the connector system and/or the complementary terminusassemblies thereof. For example, the ferrules may be secured to the tipsegments of the glass optical fibers using an epoxy, which may betime-consuming and/or labor intensive. Moreover, such alignmentcomponents may decrease a reliability of the connector system and/or thecomplementary terminus assemblies thereof. For example, the alignmentssleeves and/or ferrules may be fragile components that may be prone tofailure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, an optical cable assembly includes an optical cablehaving an end. The optical cable includes a plastic optical fiber (POF)having a tip segment that includes a tip surface. The optical cableassembly also includes a socket terminus assembly that terminates theend of the optical cable and is configured to mate with a pin terminusassembly. The socket terminus assembly includes a terminus body having acable passage. At least a portion of the end of the optical cableextends within the cable passage such that the tip surface of the tipsegment of the POF is configured to engage a mating POF of the pinterminus assembly to optically couple the POF to the mating POF.

In another embodiment, an optical cable assembly includes an opticalcable having an end. The optical cable includes a plastic optical fiber(POF) having a tip segment. The optical cable assembly also includes asocket terminus assembly that terminates the end of the optical cable.The socket terminus assembly includes a terminus body having a cablepassage. At least a portion of the end of the optical cable extendswithin the cable passage. The socket terminus assembly includes a hoodhaving a mating receptacle that extends from the cable passage of theterminus body. The mating receptacle is defined by an interior wall ofthe hood. The tip segment of the POF extends within the matingreceptacle for optically coupling to a mating POF of a pin terminusassembly. A radially outer surface of the tip segment of the POF isengaged with the interior wall of the hood within the mating receptacle.

In another embodiment, an optical connector system is provided. Theoptical connector assembly includes first and second optical cableshaving ends. The first and second optical cables include first andsecond plastic optical fibers (POFs), respectively. Each of the firstand second POFs includes a tip segment having a tip surface. The opticalconnector assembly also includes a socket terminus assembly thatterminates the end of the first optical cable. The socket terminusassembly includes a mating receptacle. The first optical cable is heldby the socket terminus assembly such that the tip surface of the tipsegment of the first POF is exposed within the mating receptacle. Theoptical connector assembly also includes a pin terminus assembly thatterminates the end of the second optical cable. The pin terminusassembly includes a mating end. The second optical cable is held by thepin terminus assembly such that the tip segment of the second POFextends outwardly from the mating end of the pin terminus assembly. Thepin terminus assembly is mated with the socket terminus assembly suchthat the tip segment of the second POF is received within the matingreceptacle of the socket terminus assembly and such that the tip surfaceof the second POF is engaged with, and thereby optically connected to,the tip surface of the first POF.

In another embodiment, an optical cable assembly includes an opticalcable having an end. The optical cable includes a plastic optical fiber(POF) having a tip segment. The optical cable assembly also includes apin terminus assembly that terminates the end of the optical cable. Thepin terminus assembly includes a terminus body that extends from amating end to a cable end. The terminus body has a cable passage. Atleast a portion of the end of the optical cable is held within the cablepassage such that the tip segment of the POF extends outwardly from themating end of the terminus body for optically coupling to a mating POFof a socket terminus assembly. The pin terminus assembly does notinclude a ferrule that extends around the tip segment of the POF.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an opticalconnector system.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the optical connector system shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anoptical cable assembly of the optical connector system shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable assembly shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged cross section of aportion of the optical connector system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a socketoptical cable assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable assembly shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pin opticalcable assembly that is configured to mate with the socket optical cableassembly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pin optical cable assembly shownin FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged cross section ofan exemplary embodiment of an optical connector system that includes theoptical cable assemblies shown in FIGS. 6-10.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of an optical cable assembly with a protective cap.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of a terminus assembly contained in the optical cableassembly shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the terminus assembly shown in FIG.12, with protective caps.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cable assembly shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a cross section of anotherexemplary embodiment of an optical connector system containing theoptical cable assembly shown in FIGS. 11 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an opticalconnector system 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the opticalconnector system 10. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector system 10includes a plurality of optical cables 12, a plurality of optical cables14, a connector assembly 16, a connector assembly 18, and an alignmentblock 52. The connector assembly 16 includes a plurality of (fiberoptic) terminus assemblies 20 (not visible in FIG. 1) that terminate theoptical cables 12. The connector assembly 18 includes a plurality of(fiber optic) terminus assemblies 22 (not visible in FIG. 1) thatterminate the optical cables 14. The optical connector system 10 may beadapted for use in military applications, aerospace applications,automotive applications, industrial applications, commercialapplications, and/or the like.

Referring now solely to FIG. 2, the connector assembly 16 includes aconnector housing 24 that extends from a connector mating end 26 to aconnector cable end 28. The housing 24 includes a plurality of circuitopenings 30. Each of the circuit openings 30 holds a correspondingterminus assembly 20 therein. Each terminus assembly 20 terminates anend 32 of a corresponding optical cable 12. As will be described below,the optical cables 12 include plastic optical fibers (POFs) 34 thatinclude tip segments 36. The terminus assemblies 20 terminate theoptical cables 12 and are held within the circuit openings 30 such thatthe tip segments 36 of the POFs 34 extend outwardly from the connectormating end 26 of the connector housing 24.

The connector assembly 18 includes a connector housing 38 that extendsfrom a connector mating end 40 to a connector cable end 42. Theconnector housing 38 includes a plurality of circuit openings 44 thathold corresponding terminus assemblies 22 therein. Each terminusassembly 22 terminates an end 46 of a corresponding optical cable 14.The optical cables 14 include POFs 48 having tip segments 50. Theterminus assemblies 22 terminate the optical cables 14 and are heldwithin the circuit openings 44 such that the tip segments 50 extendoutwardly from the connector mating end 40 of the connector housing 38.

The optical connector system 10 also includes the alignment block 52.The connector assemblies 16 and 18 mate together via the alignment block52. The alignment block 52 is mounted between the connector assemblies16 and 18 when the connector assemblies 16 and 18 are mated together asshown in FIG. 2. More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, thealignment block 52 is mounted to the connector mating end 40 of theconnector housing 38. Alternatively, the alignment block 52 is mountedto the connector mating end 26 of the connector housing 24. When theconnector assemblies 16 and 18 are mated together, the alignment block52 extends outwardly from each of the connector mating ends 26 and 40(toward the other connector mating end 26 or 40).

The alignment block 52 includes a plurality of mating receptacles 54that extend through the alignment block 52. The POF tip segments 36 ofthe optical cables 12 terminated by the terminus assemblies 20 extendwithin corresponding mating receptacles 54 of the alignment block 52.Similarly, the POF tip segments 50 of the optical cables 14 terminatedby the terminus assemblies 22 extend within corresponding matingreceptacles 54. Corresponding tip segments 36 and 50 are aligned withinthe corresponding mating receptacle 54 such that the corresponding tipsegments 36 and 50 are optically connected together, as will bedescribed below.

The alignment block 52 is optionally secured to the connector housings24 or 38 via a lock feature 56. In the exemplary embodiment, the lockfeature 56 includes a threaded fastener assembly, but the lock feature56 may additionally or alternatively include any other structure, means,and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, a latch and/or the like.In the exemplary embodiment, the alignment block 52 is considered acomponent of the connector assembly 18. But, the alignment block 52 maybe considered a component of the connector assembly 16.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an opticalcable assembly 11 (not labeled in FIG. 2) of the optical connectorsystem 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cableassembly 11. The optical cable assembly 11 includes one of the terminusassemblies 20 and the corresponding optical cable 12 that is terminatedthereby. The optical cable 12 includes the end 32, which extends alength L, and the POF 34. In the exemplary embodiment, and as best seenin FIG. 4, the POF 34 includes a plastic core 58 and optionally includesa cladding 60 that surrounds the plastic core 58. The plastic core 58 isconfigured to transmit, or propagate, light (e.g., optical signals)along the length of the POF 34. The optical cable 12 includes a buffer62, a strength member 64, and a jacket 66. The buffer 62 surrounds thePOF 34 along a portion of the length L of the optical cable end 32. Thestrength member 64 surrounds the buffer 62 along a portion of the lengthL of the end 32 of the optical cable 12. The jacket 66 surrounds thestrength member 64 along a portion of the length L of the optical cableend 32.

The buffer 62 may be fabricated from any material(s) and may include anystructure, such as, but not limited to, polyolefin, another polymer,and/or the like. The strength member 64 and the jacket 66 may each befabricated from any material(s) and may each include any structure. Forexample, the strength member 64 may be, but is not limited to being, ayarn, a braid, a sheath, and/or the like. The jacket 66 may be, but isnot limited to being, perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), another polymer, and/or the like. In the exemplary embodiment,each of the optical cables 14 is substantially similar to the opticalcables 12. Accordingly, the optical cables 14 will not be described ingreater detail herein.

The terminus assembly 20 includes a terminus body 68 that extends alength from a terminus body mating end 70 to a terminus body cable end72. The terminus body 68 includes a cable passage 74 and a crimp zone76. At least a portion of the end 32 of the optical cable 12 extendswithin the cable passage 74. The cable passage 74 extends a lengththrough the terminus body 68. Referring now solely to FIG. 4, the cablepassage 74 optionally includes a larger-diameter segment 78 and areduced-diameter segment 80 that has a reduced diameter relative to thelarger-diameter segment 78. A shoulder 82 of the terminus body 68 thatextends radially inwardly within the cable passage 74 is defined at theintersection between the larger-diameter segment 78 and thereduced-diameter segment 80. The crimp zone 76 of the terminus body 68extends along the larger-diameter segment 78 of the cable passage 74.

The optical cable end 32 includes a buffer segment 92 along which thebuffer 62 surrounds the POF 34. The buffer 62 includes a buffer end 94that defines an end of the buffer segment 92. The end 32 of the opticalcable 12 also includes a POF segment 96 wherein the POF 34 is exposedfrom the buffer 62. The optical cable end 32 extends within the cablepassage 74 of the terminus body 68 such that the terminus body 68surrounds the buffer 62 of the optical cable 12 at the crimp zone 76, ascan be seen in FIG. 4. In other words, the crimp zone 76 of the terminusbody 68 extends along and surrounds a portion of the buffer segment 92of the optical cable end 32. The buffer segment 92 of the optical cableend 32 extends within the larger-diameter segment 78 of the cablepassage 74, while the POF segment 96 of the optical cable end 32 extendswithin the reduced-diameter segment 80 of the cable passage 74. Thebuffer end 94 of the buffer 62 is engaged with the shoulder 82 of theterminus body 68.

The terminus body 68 is crimped over the buffer 62 of the optical cable12 at the crimp zone 76, as is shown in FIG. 4. When crimped over thebuffer 62, an interior surface 90 of the terminus body 68 is engagedwith the buffer 62. Accordingly, the terminus body 68 is engaged withthe buffer 62 at the crimp zone 76. Optionally, and as can be seen inFIG. 4, the crimp forms projections 88 on the interior surface 90 of theterminus body 68. The projections 88 engage and partially compress thebuffer 62 when the connector body 68 is crimped over the buffer 62. Thecrimp between the terminus body 68 and the buffer 62 mechanicallyconnects the terminus body 68 to the buffer 62, and thereby to the end32 of the optical cable 12. The compression of the buffer 62 by theprojections 88 may facilitate forming a stronger mechanical connectionbetween the terminus body 68 and the buffer 62. Any type of crimp havingany structure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonalcrimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimpformed by opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The terminus assembly 20 includes a crimp sleeve 98 that extends alength that includes a terminus segment 100 and a cable segment 102. Thecrimp sleeve 98 can also be seen in FIG. 3. The crimp sleeve 98 includesa central passage 104 that extends through the length of the crimpsleeve 98. As shown in FIG. 4, the strength member 64 of the opticalcable 12 includes a member segment 106 that extends over at least aportion of the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68. The crimp sleeve 98extends around the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68 and around theportion of the optical cable end 32 that extends outwardly from theterminus body cable end 72. The cable end 72 of the terminus body 68 andthe member segment 106 of the strength member 64 that extends over theterminus body cable end 72 are received within the central passage 104of the crimp sleeve 98 along the terminus segment 100 of the crimpsleeve 98. In other words, the terminus segment 100 of the crimp sleeve98 surrounds the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68 and the membersegment 106 of the strength member 64 that extends over the terminusbody cable end 72. The portion of the optical cable end 32 that extendsoutwardly from the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68 is receivedwithin the central passage 104 of the crimp sleeve along the cablesegment 102 such the cable segment 102 surrounds the jacket 66 of theoptical cable 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the crimp sleeve 98 is crimped over the cable end 72of the terminus body 68 and the member segment 106 of the strengthmember 64 that extends over the cable end 72. More specifically, theterminus segment 100 of the crimp sleeve 98 is crimped over the terminusbody cable end 72 and the member segment 106. When crimped over theterminus body cable end 72 and the member segment 106, an interiorsurface 108 of the crimp sleeve 98 is engaged with the member segment106 of the strength member 64. Accordingly, the crimp sleeve 98 isengaged with the member segment 106 of the strength member 64 at theterminus segment 100 of the crimp sleeve 98. The crimp between the crimpsleeve 98 and the member segment 106 of the strength member 64mechanically connects the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68 to themember segment 106 of the strength member 64 and mechanically connectsthe member segment 106 to the terminus segment 100 of the crimp sleeve98. The crimp between the crimp sleeve 98 and the member segment 106thereby mechanically connects the cable end 72 of the terminus body 68to the optical cable 12. Any type of crimp having any structure may beused, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a 4/8 indentcrimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formed by opposingand parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The crimp sleeve 98 is also crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 32 that extends outwardly from the cable end 72 of theterminus body 68, as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the cablesegment 102 of the crimp sleeve 98 is crimped over the portion of theoptical cable end 32 that extends outwardly from the cable end 72 of theterminus body 68. When crimped over the portion of the optical cable end32 that extends outwardly from the terminus body cable end 72, theinterior surface 108 of the crimp sleeve 98 is engaged with the jacket66 of the optical cable 12. The crimp sleeve 98 is thus engaged with thejacket 66 at the cable segment 102. The crimp between the crimp sleeve98 and the jacket 66 of the optical cable 12 mechanically connects thejacket 66 to the cable segment 102 of the crimp sleeve 98. Accordingly,the crimp between the crimp sleeve 98 and the jacket 66 mechanicallyconnects the cable segment 102 of the crimp sleeve 98 to the opticalcable 12. Any type of crimp having any structure may be used, such as,but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, a circularcrimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formed by opposing and parallel jaws,and/or the like.

The terminus assembly 20 optionally includes the terminus body 68, aterminus shell 112, and a biasing mechanism 114. The terminus shell 112can also be seen in FIG. 3. The terminus shell 112 extends around theterminus body 68. More specifically, the terminus shell 112 extendsaround the mating end 70 of the terminus body 68. The terminus shell 112includes a lock shoulder 116 that cooperates with a lock feature 118(FIG. 2) that resides internally within the connector housing 24 (FIGS.2 and 5) to hold the terminus assembly 20 within the correspondingcircuit opening 30 (FIGS. 2 and 5) of the connector housing 24. Thebiasing mechanism 114 is held within a cavity 120 that extends betweenthe terminus body 68 and the terminus shell 112. In the exemplaryembodiment, the biasing mechanism 114 extends within the cavity 120between a flange 122 of the terminus body 68 and a flange 124 of theterminus shell 112. The biasing mechanism 114 biases the terminus shell112 to a locked position (shown in FIG. 4). In the locked position, aflange 125 of the terminus shell 112 is engaged with the flange 122 ofthe terminus body 68. The terminus shell 112 is moveable relative to theterminus body 68, and against the bias provided by the biasing mechanism114, in a direction A away from the minimally biased locked positionshown in FIG. 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the biasing mechanism 114is a coil spring, but the biasing mechanism 114 may additionally oralternatively include any other type of biasing mechanism.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the terminus assemblies 22 are substantiallysimilar to the terminus assemblies 20. Accordingly, the terminusassemblies 22 will not be described in more detail herein. The terminusassembly 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is held within the correspondingcircuit opening 30 of the connector housing 24 of the connector assembly18. The lock shoulder 116 of the terminus shell 112 is engaged with thelock feature 118 of the connector housing 24 to secure the terminusassembly 20 within the corresponding circuit opening 30.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged cross-sectionalview of the optical connector system 10. The terminus assembly 20 shownin FIGS. 3 and 4 is held within the corresponding circuit opening 30 ofthe connector assembly 16 such that the tip segment 36 of the POF 34extends outwardly from the connector mating end 26 of the connectorhousing 24. Similarly, the corresponding terminus assembly 22 is heldwithin the corresponding circuit opening 44 of the connector assembly 18such that the tip segment 50 of the POF 48 extends outwardly from theconnector mating end 40 of the connector housing 38. The POF tipsegments 36 and 50 extend into a corresponding mating receptacle 54 ofthe alignment block 52. The mating receptacle 54 is tapered radiallyinward to a neck segment 126 of the mating receptacle 54. As the tipsegments 36 and 50 are received into the mating receptacle 54, ends 128and 130 of the mating receptacle 54 that include the taper engage thetip segments 36 and 50, respectively, to radially align the POF tipsegments 36 and 50 with respect to each other within the neck segment126.

The POF tip segments 36 and 50 include radially outer surfaces 132 and134, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment, the cladding 60 of thePOF 34 includes the radially outer surface 132 of the tip segment 36,while a cladding 61 of the POF 48 includes the radially outer surface134 of the tip segment 50. Within the corresponding mating receptacle54, the radially outer surfaces 132 and 134 of the POF tip segments 36and 50, respectively, are engaged with an interior wall 136 of thealignment block 52 that defines the corresponding mating receptacle 54.More specifically, the radially outer surfaces 132 and 134 of the POFtip segments 36 and 50, respectively, engage the interior wall 136 atthe neck segment 126 of the corresponding mating receptacle 54. Theengagement between the radially outer surfaces 132 and 134 of the POFtip segments 36 and 50, respectively, and the interior wall 136 at theneck segment 126 facilitates radial alignment of the POF tip segments 36and 50 relative to each other within the corresponding mating receptacle54.

The POF tip segments 36 and 50 are aligned within the correspondingmating receptacle 54 such that the corresponding tip segments 36 and 50are optically connected together. The POFs 34 and 48 of thecorresponding optical cables 12 and 14, respectively, are thus opticallycoupled together. In the exemplary embodiment, an air gap G extendsbetween the tip segments 36 and 50 when the tip segments 36 and 50 areoptically coupled together within the corresponding mating receptacle54. More specifically, the air gap G extends between tip surfaces 138and 140 of the tip segments 36 and 50, respectively, when the tipsegments 36 and 50 are optically coupled together within thecorresponding mating receptacle 54. The air gap G may be created by aclearance that occurs when a forward surface 141 of the terminus body 68is biased against a surface 143 of the alignment block 52 by the biasingmechanism 114. The air gap G may have any size that enables the tipsegments 36 and 50 to optically couple together within the correspondingmating receptacle 54. The POF tip segments 36 and 50 may have lessvariation in axial and/or radial alignment than at least some knownconnector assemblies, which may reduce the amount of attenuation at theoptical interface between the POF tip segments 36 and 50.

In some alternative embodiments, the tip surfaces 138 and 140 of therespective tip segments 36 and 50 are engaged (i.e., in physicalcontact) with each other when the tip segments 36 and 50 are opticallycoupled together within the corresponding mating receptacle 54. Theoptical performance at the physical contact interface between the tipsegments 36 and 50 may experience less optical attenuation and/or betterreturn loss than at least some known connector assemblies.

The configuration of the alignment block 52, the connector assembly 16,and/or the connector assembly 18 enables the elimination of one or morecomponents. For example, the system 10 does not include alignmentsleeves (not shown) held within the mating receptacles 54 of thealignment block 52. Moreover, and for example, the system 10 does notinclude ferrules (not shown) that extend around the tip segments 36 and50 of the POFs 34 and 48, respectively. Such alignment sleeves andferrules are included within at least some known connector assemblies.The elimination of components (such as, but not limited to, thealignment sleeves and ferrules) may increase a reliability of the system10 and/or any components thereof, and/or may decrease a cost and/orcomplexity of the system 10 and/or any components thereof. Moreover, theelimination of the ferrules eliminates the need to secure the ferrulesto the tip segments 36 and 50 using an epoxy, which may decrease a costand/or complexity of the system 10 (and/or any components thereof)and/or may reduce an amount of labor and/or time required to fabricatethe system 10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in the exemplary embodiment, the alignmentblock 52 includes the general shape of a parallelepiped. But, thealignment block 52 may additionally or alternatively include any othershape(s) (such as, but not limited to, cylindrical and/or the like),which may depend on a shape of the connector assemblies 16 and/or 18.Optionally, the alignment block 52 is optically insulative and/orelectrically insulative.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of anoptical cable assembly 211. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of theoptical cable assembly 211. The optical cable assembly 211 is a socketoptical cable assembly 211 that includes a socket terminus assembly 220and an optical cable 212. The socket terminus assembly 220 terminates anend 232 of the optical cable 212 and is configured to mate with a pinterminus assembly 422 (FIGS. 8-10). The socket terminus assembly 220includes a collar 342, a terminus body 268, and a hood 344 that extendsfrom the terminus body 268. The terminus body 268 extends a length froma mating end 270 to a cable end 272. The terminus body 268 includes acable passage 274 that extends a length through the terminus body 268.At least a portion of a length of an end 232 of the optical cable 212extends within the cable passage 274.

The hood 344 extends outwardly from the mating end 270 of the terminusbody 268 and defines a mating end 346 of the terminus assembly 220. Thehood 344 includes an end 528 having a mating receptacle 348 that isconfigured to receive a tip segment 436 (FIGS. 8-10) of a POF 434 (FIGS.8-10) of the pin terminus assembly 422 therein, as will be describedbelow. The mating receptacle 348 is defined by an interior wall 350 ofthe hood 344. The mating receptacle 348 is aligned with the cablepassage 274 such that the mating receptacle 348 extends from the cablepassage 274. In the exemplary embodiment, the hood 344 is a discretecomponent from the terminus body 268 that is mounted to the terminusbody 268. Alternatively, the hood 344 is integrally formed with theterminus body 268. In the exemplary embodiment, the hood 344 isremovably mounted to the terminus body 268 using a threaded connection,but the hood 344 may be additionally or alternatively mounted to theterminus body 268 using any other type of connection (whether or not thehood is removably mounted to the terminus body 268).

Referring now solely to FIG. 7, the optical cable 212 includes a POF234, which includes a tip segment 236 having a tip surface 238. The POF234 includes a plastic core 258 and optionally includes a cladding 260that surrounds the plastic core 258. The plastic core 258 is configuredto transmit, or propagate, light (e.g., optical signals) along thelength of the POF 234. The POF tip segment 236 includes a radially outersurface 332. In the exemplary embodiment, the cladding 260 of the POF234 includes the radially outer surface 332.

The optical cable 212 also includes a buffer 262, a strength member 264,and a jacket 266. The buffer 262 surrounds the POF 234 along a portionof the length of the optical cable end 232. The strength member 264surrounds the buffer 262 along a portion of the length of the end 232 ofthe optical cable 212. The jacket 266 surrounds the strength member 264along a portion of the length of the optical cable end 232.

The buffer 262 may be fabricated from any material(s) and may includeany structure, such as, but not limited to, polyolefin, another polymer,and/or the like. The strength member 264 and the jacket 266 may each befabricated from any material(s) and may each include any structure. Forexample, the strength member 264 may be, but is not limited to being, ayarn, a braid, a sheath, and/or the like. The jacket 266 may be, but isnot limited to being, perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), another polymer, and/or the like.

The tip segment 236 of the POF 234 extends within the mating receptacle348 of the hood 344. The tip surface 238 of the POF tip segment 236 isexposed within the mating receptacle 348. The mating receptacle 348 isconfigured to receive the POF tip segment 436 of the pin terminusassembly 422 (FIGS. 8 and 9) therein such that the tip surface 238 ofthe POF tip segment 236 engages, and thereby optically couples to, thePOF tip segment 436 of the pin terminus assembly 422. Optionally, thetip surface 238 and/or a tip surface 438 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the POF tipsegment 436 is polished. In some embodiments, the hood 344 is removedfrom the terminus body 268 to enable the tip surface 238 to be polishedand/or cleaned while the optical cable 212 is terminated by terminusbody 268.

At the mating end 346 of the hood 344, the mating receptacle 348 istapered radially inward to a neck segment 352 of the mating receptacle348. As will be described below, the taper of the mating receptacle 348facilitates radially aligning the POF tip segment 236 of the socketterminus assembly 220 with the POF tip segment 436 of the pin terminusassembly 422 within the mating receptacle 348. Within the matingreceptacle 348, the radially outer surface 332 of the POF tip segment236 is engaged with the interior wall 350 of the hood 344 that definesthe mating receptacle 348. More specifically, the radially outer surface332 of the tip segment 236 of the POF 234 is engaged with the interiorwall 350 at the neck segment 352 of the mating receptacle 348. Theengagement between the radially outer surface 332 of the POF tip segment236 and the interior wall 350 at the neck segment 352 facilitates radialalignment of the POF tip segments 236 and 436 relative to each otherwithin the mating receptacle 348.

The terminus body 268 is optionally crimped over, in engagementtherewith, the buffer 262 at a crimp zone 276 of the terminus body 268.As can be seen in FIG. 7, the terminus body 268 surrounds the buffer 262of the optical cable 212 at the crimp zone 276. Any type of crimp havingany structure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonalcrimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimpformed by opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The strength member 264 of the optical cable 212 includes a membersegment 306 that extends over at least a portion of the cable end 272 ofthe terminus body 268. The socket terminus assembly 220 includes a crimpsleeve 298 that extends a length that includes a (crimp sleeve) terminussegment 300 and a cable segment 302. The crimp sleeve 298 can also beseen in FIG. 6. The crimp sleeve 298 extends around the cable end 272 ofthe terminus body 268 and around the portion of the optical cable end232 that extends outwardly from the cable end 272. The terminus segment300 of the crimp sleeve 298 surrounds the cable end 272 of the terminusbody 268 and the member segment 306 of the strength member 264 thatextends over the cable end 272. The cable segment 302 of the crimpsleeve 298 surrounds the portion of the optical cable end 232 thatextends outwardly from the cable end 272 of the terminus body 268 suchthe cable segment 302 surrounds the jacket 266 of the optical cable 212.

As shown in FIG. 7, the crimp sleeve 298 is crimped over the cable end272 of the terminus body 268 and the member segment 306 of the strengthmember 264 that extends over the cable end 272. More specifically, theterminus segment 300 of the crimp sleeve 298 is crimped over the cableend 272 and the member segment 306. When crimped over the cable end 272and the member segment 306, the terminus segment 300 of the crimp sleeve298 is engaged with the member segment 306 of the strength member 264.The crimp between the crimp sleeve 298 and the member segment 306 of thestrength member 264 mechanically connects the cable end 272 of theterminus body 268 to the member segment 306 and mechanically connectsthe member segment 306 to the terminus segment 300 of the crimp sleeve298. The crimp between the crimp sleeve 298 and the member segment 306thereby mechanically connects the cable end 272 of the terminus body 268to the optical cable 212. Any type of crimp having any structure may beused, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a 4/8 indentcrimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formed by opposingand parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The crimp sleeve 298 is also crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 232 that extends outwardly from the cable end 272 of theterminus body 268, as shown in FIG. 7. More specifically, the cablesegment 302 of the crimp sleeve 298 is crimped over the portion of theoptical cable end 232 that extends outwardly from the cable end 272 ofthe terminus body 268. When crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 232 that extends outwardly from the cable end 272, the crimpsleeve 298 is engaged with the jacket 266 of the optical cable 212. Thecrimp sleeve 298 is thus engaged with the jacket 266 at the cablesegment 302. The crimp between the crimp sleeve 298 and the jacket 266mechanically connects the jacket 266 to the cable segment 302 of thecrimp sleeve 298. Accordingly, the crimp between the crimp sleeve 298and the jacket 266 mechanically connects the cable segment 302 of thecrimp sleeve 298 to the optical cable 212. Any type of crimp having anystructure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formedby opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pin opticalcable assembly 411 that is configured to mate with the socket opticalcable assembly 211. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the pin opticalcable assembly 411. The pin optical cable assembly 411 includes the pinterminus assembly 422 and an optical cable 412. The pin terminusassembly 422 terminates an end 446 of the optical cable 412 and isconfigured to mate with the socket terminus assembly 220 (FIGS. 6, 7,and 10). The pin terminus assembly 422 includes a terminus body 468 thatextends a length from a mating end 470 to a cable end 472. The terminusbody 468 includes a cable passage 474 that extends a length through theterminus body 468. At least a portion of a length of the end 446 of theoptical cable 412 extends within the cable passage 474.

Referring now solely to FIG. 9, the optical cable 412 includes a POF434, which includes the tip segment 436 having the tip surface 438. Thetip segment 436 of the POF 434 extends outwardly from the mating end 470of the terminus body 468. The tip segment 436 is configured to bereceived within the mating receptacle 348 (FIGS. 6, 7, and 10) of thesocket terminus assembly 220. Optionally, the tip surface 438 ispolished.

The POF 434 includes a plastic core 458 and optionally includes acladding 460 that surrounds the plastic core 458. The plastic core 458is configured to transmit, or propagate, light (e.g., optical signals)along the length of the POF 434. The POF tip segment 436 includes aradially outer surface 432. In the exemplary embodiment, the cladding460 of the POF 434 includes the radially outer surface 432.

The optical cable 412 also includes a buffer 462, a strength member 464,and a jacket 466. The buffer 462 surrounds the POF 434 along a portionof the length of the optical cable end 446. The strength member 464surrounds the buffer 462 along a portion of the length of the end 446 ofthe optical cable 412. The jacket 466 surrounds the strength member 464along a portion of the length of the optical cable end 446.

The buffer 462 may be fabricated from any material(s) and may includeany structure, such as, but not limited to, polyolefin, another polymer,and/or the like. The strength member 464 and the jacket 466 may each befabricated from any material(s) and may each include any structure. Forexample, the strength member 464 may be, but is not limited to being, ayarn, a braid, a sheath, and/or the like. The jacket 466 may be, but isnot limited to being, perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), another polymer, and/or the like.

The terminus body 468 is optionally crimped over, in engagementtherewith, the buffer 462 at a crimp zone 476 of the terminus body 468.As can be seen in FIG. 9, the terminus body 468 surrounds the buffer 462of the optical cable 412 at the crimp zone 476. Any type of crimp havingany structure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonalcrimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimpformed by opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The strength member 464 of the optical cable 412 includes a membersegment 506 that extends over at least a portion of the cable end 472 ofthe terminus body 468. The pin terminus assembly 422 includes a crimpsleeve 498 that extends a length that includes a (crimp sleeve) terminussegment 500 and a cable segment 502. The crimp sleeve 498 can also beseen in FIG. 8. The crimp sleeve 498 extends around the cable end 472 ofthe terminus body 468 and around the portion of the optical cable end446 that extends outwardly from the cable end 472. More specifically,the terminus segment 500 of the crimp sleeve 498 surrounds the cable end472 of the terminus body 468 and the member segment 506 of the strengthmember 464 that extends over the cable end 472. The cable segment 502 ofthe crimp sleeve 498 surrounds the portion of the optical cable end 446that extends outwardly from the cable end 472 of the terminus body 468such the cable segment 502 surrounds the jacket 466 of the optical cable412.

As shown in FIG. 9, the crimp sleeve 498 is crimped over the cable end472 of the terminus body 468 and the member segment 506 of the strengthmember 464 that extends over the cable end 472. More specifically, theterminus segment 500 of the crimp sleeve 498 is crimped over the cableend 472 and the member segment 506. When crimped over the cable end 472and the member segment 506, the terminus segment 500 of the crimp sleeve498 is engaged with the member segment 506 of the strength member 464.The crimp between the crimp sleeve 498 and the member segment 506 of thestrength member 464 mechanically connects the cable end 472 of theterminus body 468 to the member segment 506 and mechanically connectsthe member segment 506 to the terminus segment 500 of the crimp sleeve498. The crimp between the crimp sleeve 498 and the member segment 506thereby mechanically connects the cable end 472 of the terminus body 468to the optical cable 412. Any type of crimp having any structure may beused, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a 4/8 indentcrimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formed by opposingand parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The crimp sleeve 498 is also crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 446 that extends outwardly from the cable end 472 of theterminus body 468, as is shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, the cablesegment 502 of the crimp sleeve 498 is crimped over the portion of theoptical cable end 446 that extends outwardly from the cable end 472 ofthe terminus body 468. When crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 446 that extends outwardly from the cable end 472, the crimpsleeve 498 is engaged with the jacket 466 of the optical cable 412. Thecrimp sleeve 498 is thus engaged with the jacket 466 at the cablesegment 502. The crimp between the crimp sleeve 498 and the jacket 466mechanically connects the jacket 466 to the cable segment 502 of thecrimp sleeve 498. Accordingly, the crimp between the crimp sleeve 498and the jacket 466 mechanically connects the cable segment 502 of thecrimp sleeve 498 to the optical cable 412. Any type of crimp having anystructure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formedby opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged cross section ofan optical connector system 210 that includes the socket and pin opticalcable assemblies 211 and 411, respectively. FIG. 10 illustrates thesocket and pin optical cable assemblies 211 and 411, respectively, asmated together. The socket terminus assembly 220 is held within acorresponding circuit opening 230 of a connector housing 224 of thesystem 210. A lock shoulder 316 of the collar 342 is engaged with a lockfeature 318 of the connector housing 224 to secure the socket terminusassembly 220 within the corresponding circuit opening 230. The pinterminus assembly 422 is held within a corresponding circuit opening 430of a connector housing 424 of the system 210. A lock shoulder 516 of theterminus body 468 is engaged with a lock feature 518 of the connectorhousing 424 to secure the pin terminus assembly 422 within thecorresponding circuit opening 430.

When the socket terminus assembly 220 and the pin terminus assembly 422are mated together, the POF tip segment 436 of the pin terminus assembly422 is received into the mating receptacle 348 of the socket terminusassembly 220. As the tip segment 436 of the pin terminus assembly 422 isreceived into the mating receptacle 348 of the socket terminus assembly220, an end 528 of the mating receptacle 348 that includes the taperengages the tip segment 436 to radially align the tip segment 436 withthe tip segment 236 of the socket terminus assembly 220 within the necksegment 352 of the mating receptacle 348. Within the neck segment 352 ofthe mating receptacle 348, the radially outer surfaces 232 and 432 ofthe tip segments 236 and 436, respectively, are engaged with theinterior wall 350 of the hood 344 that defines the mating receptacle348. The engagement between the radially outer surfaces 232 and 434 andthe interior wall 350 at the neck segment 352 facilitates radialalignment of the POF tip segments 236 and 436 relative to each otherwithin the mating receptacle 348.

The POF tip segments 236 and 436 are aligned within the matingreceptacle 348 such that the tip segments 236 and 436 are opticallyconnected together. The POFs 234 and 434 of the optical cables 212 and412, respectively, are thus optically coupled together. In the exemplaryembodiment, and as shown in FIG. 10, the tip surfaces 238 and 438 of therespective tip segments 236 and 436 are engaged (i.e., in physicalcontact) with each other to optically couple the tip segments 236 and436 together within the mating receptacle 348. A biasing mechanism 314may be used to provide a biasing force that biases the tip surface 238of the POF tip segment 236 into engagement with the tip surface 438 ofthe POF tip segment 436. In the exemplary embodiment, the biasingmechanism 314 is a coil spring, but the biasing mechanism 314 mayadditionally or alternatively include any other type of biasingmechanism. The POF tip segments 236 and 436 may have less variation inaxial and/or radial alignment than at least some known connectorassemblies, which may reduce the amount of attenuation at the opticalinterface between the POF tip segments 236 and 436. The opticalperformance at the physical contact interface between the tip surfaces238 and 438 may experience less optical attenuation and/or better returnloss than at least some known connector assemblies.

The configuration of the socket terminus assembly 220 and/or the pinterminus assembly 422 enables the elimination of one or more components.For example, the socket terminus assembly 220 does not include analignment sleeve (not shown) held within the mating receptacle 348 ofthe hood 344. Moreover, and for example, the socket terminus assembly220 and the pin terminus assembly 422 do not include ferrules (notshown) that extend around the respective tip segments 236 and 436 of thePOFs 234 and 434, respectively. Moreover, the connector housings 224 and424 do not mate together with an alignment block therebetween. Theelimination of components (such as, but not limited to, the alignmentsleeves, an alignment block, and/or the ferrules) may increase areliability of the system 210 and/or any components thereof, and/or maydecrease a cost and/or complexity of the system 210 and/or anycomponents thereof. Moreover, the elimination of the ferrules eliminatesthe need to secure the ferrules to the tip segments 236 and 436 using anepoxy, which may decrease a cost and/or complexity of the system 210(and/or any components thereof) and/or may reduce an amount of laborand/or time required to fabricate the system 210.

Although the system 210 is shown in FIG. 10 as only including a singlesocket optical cable assembly 211 and a single pin optical cableassembly 411, the system 210 may include any number of the socketoptical cable assemblies 211 and any number of the pin optical cableassemblies 411.

FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of another exemplaryembodiment of an optical cable assembly 611. The optical cable assembly611 includes a terminus kit 620 and an optical cable 612 that isterminated thereby. The optical cable 612 includes an end 632 and a POF634 (FIG. 14). The terminus kit 620 includes a terminus assembly 742that includes a shell 668 and a cover 644 that extends from the shell668. The terminus kit 620 also includes a crimp sleeve 645 and aprotective end cap 647 (FIG. 13).

The terminus assembly 742 extends a length from a mating end 670 to acable end 672. The shell 668 includes a cable passage 674 that extendslengthwise through the shell 668. At least a portion of a length of theend 632 of the optical cable 612 extends within the cable passage 674.

As will be described below, the terminus assembly 742 contains and holdsa POF stub 800. The POF stub 800 is optically coupled to a tip segment636 (FIG. 13) of the POF 634 within the terminus assembly 742. The POFstub 800 includes a mating end 802 at which the POF stub 800 isconfigured to mate with a mating POF (e.g., the POFs 34 and/or 48 shownand/or described herein) of a mating connector (e.g., the terminusassemblies 20 and/or 22 shown and/or described herein). In the exemplaryembodiment, the mating end 802 of the POF stub 800 is configured toextend within a receptacle 648 of the cover 644 such that the cover 644extends around the mating end 802 of the POF stub 800. The cover 644 isused to protect the mating end 802 of the POF stub 800 (e.g., a polishedmating surface 824) before the terminus kit 620 is installed into acorresponding connector housing 724 (FIG. 14). In other words, and as isapparent in FIG. 14, the cover 644 is removed before the optical cableassembly 611 is installed into the corresponding connector housing 724.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of the terminus assembly 742. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectionalview of the terminus assembly 742 with the cover 644 and the end cap 647installed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the optical cableassembly 611. Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, the terminus assembly 742includes the shell 668, a wedge 804, a clamp block 805, a plunger 806, abiasing mechanism 810, and a stub carrier 812. The stub carrier 812 isheld within the cable passage 674 of the shell 668 at the mating end 670of the shell 668. More specifically, a (stub carrier) shell end 814 ofthe stub carrier 812 is held within the cable passage 674, as is bestseen in FIG. 14. The stub carrier 812 also includes a mating end 816that is opposite the shell end 814. The stub carrier 812 includes apassage 818 that receives the POF stub 800. The cover 644 of theterminus assembly 742 is not shown in FIG. 12 for clarity. The wedge804, the clamp block 805, the plunger 806, and the biasing mechanism 810are each at least partially within the cable passage 674 of the shell668. The wedge 804, the clamp block 805, and the plunger 806 cooperateto facilitate termination of the optical cable 612 to the terminusassembly 742.

Referring now solely to FIG. 14, the POF stub 800 includes a plasticcore 819 and optionally includes a cladding 820 that surrounds theplastic core 819. The plastic core 819 is configured to transmit, orpropagate, light (e.g., optical signals) along the length of the POFstub 800. The POF 634 includes a plastic core 658 and optionallyincludes a cladding 660 that surrounds the plastic core 658. The plasticcore 658 is configured to transmit, or propagate, light (e.g., opticalsignals) along the length of the POF 634. The tip segment 636 of the POF634 includes a tip surface 638. The optical cable 612 includes a buffer662, a strength member 664, and a jacket 666. The buffer 662 surroundsthe POF 634 along a portion of the length of the optical cable end 632.The strength member 664 surrounds the buffer 662 along a portion of thelength of the end 632 of the optical cable 612. The jacket 666 surroundsthe strength member 664 along a portion of the length of the opticalcable end 632.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the tip segment 636 of the POF 634 extendswithin the cable passage 674 of the shell 668. The POF stub 800 extendsa length from the mating end 802 to a fiber end 822. The mating end 802includes a mating surface 824, while the fiber end 822 includes acoupling surface 826. Optionally, the mating surface 824 and/or thecoupling surface 826 is polished. Factory polishing of the matingsurface 824 and/or the coupling surface 826 may save time and/or workfor a customer and/or may improve control of polishing consistency forbetter optical performance. The POF stub 800 extends through the passage818 of the stub carrier 812 such that the stub carrier 812 supports thePOF stub 800. The POF stub 800 is held by the stub carrier 812, and thestub carrier 812 is held by the shell 668, such that the fiber end 822of the POF stub 800 extends within the cable passage 674. Optionally,the POF stub 800 is bonded to the stub carrier 812 using an adhesive.For example, the cladding 820 of the POF stub 800 may be bonded to thestub carrier 812 using an adhesive.

As described above, the wedge 804, the clamp block 805, and the plunger806 cooperate to facilitate termination of the optical cable 612 to theterminus assembly 742. The plunger 806 is shown in a staged position(e.g., as shipped to a customer) in FIG. 13 and an actuated position inFIG. 14. In the staged position shown in FIG. 13, the end cap 647 isinstalled on a cable end 649 of the plunger 806, for example forprotecting the gel described below from contamination. As should beapparent from a comparison of FIGS. 13 and 14, the plunger 806 isactuated by moving (e.g., using a specialized tool) the plunger 806 inthe direction of the arrow B from the staged position shown in FIG. 13to the actuated position shown in FIG. 14. As the plunger 806 movestoward the actuated position, a ramp 807 of the plunger 806 engagesramps 809 and 811 of the wedge 804 and the clamp block 805,respectively, which creates an interference fit between the plunger 806and the wedge 804 and clamp block 805. The interference fit compressesthe wedge 804 and clamp block 805 radially inward toward each other,which exerts a gripping force on the fiber end 822 of the POF stub 800and the tip segment 636 of the POF 634 that holds the POF stub 800 andthe POF 634 within the cable passage 674. The wedge 804, the clamp block805, and the plunger 806 thereby facilitate aligning, mechanicallysecuring, and optically coupling the POF stub 800 and the POF 634together.

When the plunger 806 is in the actuated position as shown in FIG. 14,the coupling surface 826 of the fiber end 822 of the POF stub 800 isaligned with the tip surface 638 of the tip segment 636 of the POF 634within the cable passage 674 such that the POF stub 800 and the POF 634are optically coupled together. In the exemplary embodiment, and asshown in FIG. 14, the coupling surface 826 of the POF stub 800 and thetip surface 638 of the POF 634 are engaged with each other to opticallycouple the POF 634 and the POF stub 800 together. Optionally, a gel (notshown) is provided that extends between, in engagement therewith, thecoupling surface 826 and the tip surface 638 to enhance the opticalcoupling between the POF 634 to the POF stub 800. The coupling surface826 and the tip surface 638 are optionally permanently connectedtogether.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 14, the crimp sleeve 645 extends a lengththat includes a terminus segment 700 and a cable segment 702. The crimpsleeve 645 includes a central passage 704 that extends through thelength of the crimp sleeve 645. The strength member 664 (not visible inFIG. 11) of the optical cable 612 includes a member segment 706 (notvisible in FIG. 11) that extends over at least a portion of the cableend 649 of the plunger 806. The crimp sleeve 645 extends around thecable end 649 of the plunger 806 and around the portion of the opticalcable end 632 that extends outwardly from the plunger cable end 649. Theplunger cable end 649 and the member segment 706 of the strength member664 that extends over the plunger cable end 649 are received within thecentral passage 704 of the crimp sleeve 645 along the terminus segment700 of the crimp sleeve 645. The portion of the optical cable end 632that extends outwardly from the cable end 649 of the plunger 806 isreceived within the central passage 704 of the crimp sleeve along thecable segment 702 such the cable segment 702 surrounds the jacket 666 ofthe optical cable 612.

The crimp sleeve 645 is crimped over the cable end 649 of the plunger806 and the member segment 706 of the strength member 664 that extendsover the cable end 649. More specifically, the terminus segment 700 ofthe crimp sleeve 645 is crimped over the plunger cable end 649 and themember segment 706. When crimped over the plunger cable end 649 and themember segment 706, an interior surface 708 (not visible in FIG. 11) ofthe crimp sleeve 645 is engaged with the member segment 706 of thestrength member 664. Accordingly, the crimp sleeve 645 is engaged withthe member segment 706 of the strength member 664 at the terminussegment 700 of the crimp sleeve 645. The crimp between the crimp sleeve645 and the member segment 706 of the strength member 664 mechanicallyconnects the cable end 649 of the plunger 806 to the member segment 706of the strength member 664 and mechanically connects the member segment706 to the terminus segment 700 of the crimp sleeve 645. The crimpbetween the crimp sleeve 645 and the member segment 706 therebymechanically connects the cable end 649 of the plunger 806 to theoptical cable 612. Any type of crimp having any structure may be used,such as, but not limited to, a hexagonal crimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, acircular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimp formed by opposing andparallel jaws, and/or the like.

The crimp sleeve 645 is also crimped over the portion of the opticalcable end 632 that extends outwardly from the cable end 649 of theplunger 806. More specifically, the cable segment 702 of the crimpsleeve 645 is crimped over the portion of the optical cable end 632 thatextends outwardly from the plunger cable end 649. When crimped over theportion of the optical cable end 632 that extends outwardly from theplunger cable end 649, the interior surface 708 of the crimp sleeve 645is engaged with the jacket 666 of the optical cable 612. The crimpsleeve 645 is thus engaged with the jacket 666 at the cable segment 702.The crimp between the crimp sleeve 645 and the jacket 666 of the opticalcable 612 mechanically connects the jacket 666 to the cable segment 702of the crimp sleeve 645. Accordingly, the crimp between the crimp sleeve645 and the jacket 666 mechanically connects the cable segment 702 ofthe crimp sleeve 645 to the optical cable 612. Any type of crimp havingany structure may be used, such as, but not limited to, a hexagonalcrimp, a 4/8 indent crimp, a circular crimp, a triangular crimp, a crimpformed by opposing and parallel jaws, and/or the like.

The configuration of the terminus assembly 742 and/or the POF stub 800enables the elimination of one or more components. For example, theterminus assembly 742 does not include a ferrule (not shown) thatextends around the mating end 802 of the POF stub 800. The eliminationof components (such as, but not limited to, the ferrule) may increase areliability of the system 10 and/or any components thereof, and/or maydecrease a cost and/or complexity of the system 10 and/or any componentsthereof. Moreover, the elimination of the ferrules eliminates the needto secure the ferrules to the mating end 802 of the POF stub 800 usingan epoxy, which may decrease a cost and/or complexity of the system 610(and/or any components thereof) and/or may reduce an amount of laborand/or time required to fabricate the system 610.

The optical cable assembly 611 may be incorporated into a larger system(e.g., the system 610 described below with reference to FIG. 15) formore than two optical cables or may be used to individually opticallycouple two optical cables together.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a cross-section of anotherexemplary embodiment of an optical connector system 610. The opticalconnector system 610 includes the connector housing 724, a connectorhousing 924, a plurality of the optical cable assemblies 611, and analignment block 652. Each optical cable assembly 611 is held within acorresponding circuit opening 730 or 930 of a corresponding connectorhousing 724 or 924. The mating ends 802 of corresponding POF stubs 800extend within a corresponding mating receptacle 654 of the alignmentblock 652.

The corresponding POF stubs 800 are aligned within the correspondingmating receptacle 654 such that the corresponding mating surfaces 824are optically connected together. The POFs 634 of corresponding opticalcables 612 are thus optically coupled together. In the exemplaryembodiment, an air gap G extends between the mating surfaces 824 ofcorresponding POF stubs 800 when the corresponding POF stubs 800 areoptically coupled together within the corresponding mating receptacle654. The air gap G may have any size that enables the mating surfaces824 of corresponding POF stubs 800 to optically couple together withinthe corresponding mating receptacle 654. The corresponding POF stubs 800may have less variation in axial and/or radial alignment than at leastsome known connector assemblies, which may reduce the amount ofattenuation at the optical interface between the corresponding POF stubs800.

In some alternative embodiments, the mating surfaces 824 ofcorresponding POF stubs 800 are engaged (i.e., in physical contact) witheach other when the corresponding POF stubs 800 are optically coupledtogether within the corresponding mating receptacle 654. The opticalperformance at the physical contact interface between the correspondingPOF stubs 800 may experience less optical attenuation and/or betterreturn loss than at least some known connector assemblies.

The configuration of the alignment block 652, the optical cableassemblies 611, and/or the connector housings 724 and/or 924 enables theelimination of one or more components. For example, the system 610 doesnot include alignment sleeves (not shown) held within the matingreceptacles 654 of the alignment block 652. Moreover, and for example,the system 610 does not include ferrules (not shown) that extend aroundthe mating ends 802 of the POF stubs 800. Such alignment sleeves andferrules are included within at least some known connector assemblies.The elimination of components (such as, but not limited to, thealignment sleeves and ferrules) may increase a reliability of the system610 and/or any components thereof, and/or may decrease a cost and/orcomplexity of the system 610 and/or any components thereof. Moreover,the elimination of the ferrules eliminates the need to secure theferrules to the mating ends 802 of the POF stubs 800 using an epoxy,which may decrease a cost and/or complexity of the system 610 (and/orany components thereof) and/or may reduce an amount of labor and/or timerequired to fabricate the system 610

In the exemplary embodiment, the alignment block 652 includes thegeneral shape of a parallelepiped. But, the alignment block 652 mayadditionally or alternatively include any other shape(s) (such as, butnot limited to, cylindrical and/or the like), which may depend on ashape of the terminus kits 620. Optionally, the alignment block 652 isoptically insulative and/or electrically insulative.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials,orientations of the various components, and the number and positions ofthe various components described herein are intended to defineparameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and aremerely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modificationswithin the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of theinvention should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, theterms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels,and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical cable assembly comprising: an opticalcable having an end, the optical cable including a plastic optical fiber(POF) having a tip segment that includes a tip surface, the opticalcable including a buffer surrounding the POF along a portion of the endof the optical cable; and a socket terminus assembly terminating the endof the optical cable and being configured to mate with a pin terminusassembly, the socket terminus assembly comprising a terminus body havinga cable passage and a crimp zone, at least a portion of the end of theoptical cable extending within the cable passage such that the tipsurface of the tip segment of the POF is configured to engage a matingPOF of the pin terminus assembly to optically couple the POF to themating POF, and wherein at least a portion of the end of the opticalcable extends within the cable passage of the terminus body such thatthe terminus body surrounds the buffer of the optical cable at the crimpzone, wherein the terminus body is crimped over, in engagement with, thebuffer of the optical cable at the crimp zone.
 2. The optical cableassembly of claim 1, wherein the socket terminus assembly comprises ahood having a mating receptacle that extends from the cable passage ofthe terminus body, the tip segment of the POF extending within themating receptacle such that the tip surface of the POF is exposed withinthe mating receptacle, the mating receptacle being configured to receivethe mating POF therein such that the tip surface of the POF is engagedwith the mating POF.
 3. The optical cable assembly of claim 1, whereinthe assembly does not include a ferrule that extends around the tipsegment of the POF.
 4. The optical cable assembly of claim 1, whereinthe optical cable includes a jacket surrounding the buffer along aportion of the end of the optical cable, at least a portion of thejacket is removed to expose the buffer such that an interior surface ofthe terminus body at the crimp zone engages and partially compresses thebuffer when the terminus body is crimped over the buffer.
 5. The opticalcable assembly of claim 1, wherein the terminus body is crimped over thebuffer of the optical cable using at least one of a hexagonal crimp or a4/8 indent crimp.
 6. The optical cable assembly of claim 1, wherein thecable passage of the terminus body extends a length having alarger-diameter segment and a reduced-diameter segment that has areduced diameter relative to the larger-diameter segment, the end of theoptical cable comprising a buffer segment, along which the buffersurrounds the POF, and a POF segment wherein the POF is exposed, thebuffer segment extending within the larger-diameter segment of the cablepassage, the POF segment extending within the reduced-diameter segment,the crimp zone of the terminus body extending along the larger-diametersegment and the buffer segment.
 7. The optical cable assembly of claim1, wherein the terminus body comprises a shoulder that extends radiallyinwardly within the cable passage, the buffer of the optical cablecomprising a buffer end that is engaged with the shoulder of theterminus body.
 8. The optical cable assembly of claim 1, wherein theoptical cable further comprises a strength member and a jacket, thestrength member surrounding the buffer along a portion of the end of theoptical cable, the jacket surrounding the strength member along aportion of the end of the optical cable, the strength member having amember segment that extends over an end of the terminus body, the socketterminus assembly further comprising a crimp sleeve having a terminussegment and a cable segment that are crimped over, in engagement with,the member segment of the strength member and the jacket, respectively.9. The optical cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the socket terminusassembly comprises a discrete hood that is removably mounted to theterminus body, the hood having a mating receptacle that extends from thecable passage of the terminus body, the tip segment of the POF extendingwithin the mating receptacle such that the tip surface of the POF isexposed within the mating receptacle, the mating receptacle beingconfigured to receive the mating POF therein such that the tip surfaceof the POF is engaged with the mating POF.
 10. The optical cableassembly of claim 1, wherein the socket terminus assembly comprises ahood having a mating receptacle that extends from the cable passage ofthe terminus body, the tip segment of the POF extending within themating receptacle such that the tip surface of the POF is exposed withinthe mating receptacle, the mating receptacle being configured to receivethe mating POF therein such that the tip surface of the POF is engagedwith the mating POF, wherein the socket terminus assembly does notinclude an alignment sleeve that is held within the mating receptacle ofthe hood.
 11. The optical cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the matingreceptacle is tapered radially inward to a neck segment, a radiallyouter surface of the tip segment of the POF being engaged with aninterior wall of the hood at the neck segment.
 12. The optical cableassembly of claim 11, wherein the POF comprises a core and a claddingthat surrounds the core, the cladding comprising the radially outersurface of the tip segment of the POF.
 13. The optical cable assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the socket terminus assembly does not include analignment sleeve that is held within the mating receptacle of the hood.